Philippine coucal

The Philippine coucal (Centropus viridis) is a species of cuckoo in the family Cuculidae. It is endemic to the Philippines. It is an insectivore.^[2]

Philippine coucal
Conservation status
Least Concern  (IUCN 3.1)[1]
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Aves
Order:	Cuculiformes
Family:	Cuculidae
Genus:	Centropus
Species:	C. viridis
Binomial name
Centropus viridis (Scopoli, 1786)

Description and taxonomy

EBird describes the bird as "A large, long-tailed bird of open or disturbed areas from the lowlands to middle elevations in the mountains. Entirely black except for rufous wings. A black-winged race from Mindoro occurs, as does an uncommon white form on Luzon. Forages for insects and other animal prey, on or close to the ground. Similar to Black-hooded Coucal, but has a black rather than brown belly and is found in more open habitats. Much larger than Lesser Coucal. Voice includes a slightly descending series of repeated "wok!" notes and a short, explosive "jek-wok-wok!"^[3]

Subspecies

Four subspecies are recognized:

• C. v. viridis — Found on Luzon, Polillo, Catanduanes, Marinduque, Masbate, Panay, Negros, Cebu, Bohol, Samar, Leyte, Mindanao and Basilan
• C. v. mindorensis — Found on Mindoro, Semirara, Caluya and Sibay
• C. v. carpenteri — Found on Batan Islands
• C. v. major — Found on Babuyan

Medium, sexes similar; races differ in color carpenteri and mindorensis are all black while viridis and majer are black with chestnut wings, and in size carpenteri and majer are larger than viridis and mindorensis. in viridis ^[4]

Behaviour and ecology

This species primarily feeds on insects however it also supplements its diet with small mammals, reptiles and amphibians. It is often seen feeding near the ground.

Breeds from April to July. Nest is a bulky globe of grass with a single entrance on the side placed 1 to 1.5 meters above the ground. Average clutch size consists of 3 dull white and chalky eggs. Chicks are described as dark-skinned.^[5]

Habitat and conservation status

Its natural habitats are tall grassland, secondary forest and thickets up to 2,000 meters above sea level

The IUCN Red List has assessed this bird as least-concern species as it has a wide range is able to tolerate a wide range of habitat where it actually benefits from human altered habitat.^[4][6]